Putin tells Finland that swapping neutrality for NATO is a mistake

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Artyom Zhoga, father of commander of the Sparta Battalion pro-Russian military unit Vladimir Zhoga who was killed in a conflict in Ukraine, following the parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto on Saturday that ditching neutrality and joining NATO would be a mistake that could damage relations between their two countries, the Kremlin said.

The two countries said their presidents spoke by phone two days after Finland declared its intention to join the Western alliance. Moscow has described that as a security threat that will require it to respond, but has not specified how.